From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishsteeplechasestee‧ple‧chase /ˈstiːpəlˌtʃeɪs/ noun [countable] 1 DSHa long race in which horses jump over gates, water etc2 DSOa long race in which people run and jump over fences, water etc
Examples from the Corpus
steeplechase• They found that a groundsman had dolled off the hurdle instead of the adjacent steeplechase fence - ommitted because of false ground.• When it comes to the 3,000 metres steeplechase, no other country gets a look-in.• At 12.30 a man with a loudspeaker started calling for the steeplechase finalists.• Walker, however, could try to peak this summer for the steeplechase or the 5,000 metres.• Charlie said there should have been markers to show the jockeys where to switch from the steeplechase course to the proper course.• Phase B in the steeplechase and phase D, what eventing is all about, is the cross country course.• Boguslaw Maminski, the 1983 World steeplechase silver medalist, has chosen London to make his marathon debut.• The three-times World steeplechase champion shook his head. ` No, you didn't.Origin steeplechase (1800-1900) steeplechase “horse race across country toward a steeple” ((18-19 centuries)) 